Just thin or already anorexic?
Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.
More posts by Christiane Fux All content is checked by medical journalists.Whether or not someone is anorexic is not a matter of weight:
Anorexia sits in the head. The eating disorder cannot necessarily be recognized in your body. Because you can lose a lot of weight for other reasons. For example, when you are in great distress or when you are very physically ill. Anorexics, on the other hand, lose a lot of weight because they force themselves to eat less and less. The thinner the better.
Even if not everyone who is much too thin is anorexic, being significantly underweight is an important indicator of an eating disorder. Underweight officially starts with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 18. Some gracefully built girls with an active metabolism are actually so super slim by nature - but that is rare. Many anorexic people are also much thinner.
Distorted body image
Because anorexics don't just want to be slim. Even if they are skinny, they still feel much too fat. Behind this is a disturbed body perception that distorts one's own reflection.
To keep losing weight, people with anorexia only eat tiny servings. A yogurt and an apple are a whole daily ration. In addition, many exercise excessively, swallow appetite suppressants, laxatives or diuretics. They are terrified of gaining weight. That they manage to withstand hunger gives them a sense of strength and control. Over time, all thoughts revolve around food and weight.
At the same time, they try to hide their condition by all means. They pretend that they are not hungry or that they have already eaten. They dress in a multi-layered onion look and prefer loose clothing so that their bony arms and legs cannot be seen. They withdraw from friends and family. And they vehemently deny that there is any problem at all. Anyone who speaks to them about their disturbed eating behavior will be met with rejection.
Bulimia - vomiting instead of starving
The latter also applies to people who suffer from bulimia. They too are at war with their bodies.Unlike anorexics, however, they devour enormous amounts of food, which they then vomit again. Some also use laxatives to quickly get rid of the nutrients they have absorbed. It happens in secret. Even with them, their thoughts revolve around food and their figure.
Unlike people who suffer from anorexia, they fail to control their desire to eat. The fatter and sweeter, the better. Food becomes an addictive substance.
Gateway drug diet
The spiral in the eating disorder often begins with diet. At first, compliments pile up: “Have you gotten slim!” And “How did you manage that?” Admiration is good for the ego, the feeling of being able to control yourself better than friends strengthens self-confidence. And so pound after pound is being tackled. At some point the fight against the kilos and your own body becomes independent. It becomes an end in itself.
From one disease to the next
Bulimia also often begins with diet. In some cases, anorexia leads to bulimia. At some point the pent-up desire to eat triumphs over good intentions. The self-imposed starvation diet leads to unbridled eating attacks. And so that these do not ruin the figure, those affected vomit. This behavior also becomes independent at some point. Those affected end up in a spiral of overeating and vomiting - often several times a day. Outwardly, bulimics are more difficult to recognize than anorexics. Most of the time, despite the vomiting, they are rather normal weight, sometimes even a bit plump.
Play with life
Anorexia causes massive damage to the body. No wonder: it is denied almost everything that it needs to function.
You can also see it from the outside: Not only are anorexics much too thin, the skin also becomes dry and the hair brittle. Girls - at least those who don't take the pill - have no menstrual period. Younger anorexics lag behind in growth - which can usually no longer be made up if they later eat more again. What it lacks, the body finally gets out of the bones, which become brittle as a result. This is a big problem, because in youth the skeleton actually builds reserves for old age.
Severe anorexia ultimately attacks all organs of the body: kidneys, liver, heart and brain. At the latest from a BMI of 14, underweight becomes acutely life-threatening.
Risk of vomiting
Physically, bulimia has slightly less dramatic consequences. But it also has significant consequences:
When you vomit, the body loses important minerals. This can lead to kidney damage and cardiac rhythm disorders. Because it has to produce large amounts of digestive juice, the pancreas can become inflamed. That too can be life threatening.
The acid in the vomit breaks your teeth and attacks the lining of the esophagus. Many bulimics suffer from indigestion and constipation because the transport of food is disturbed. The lack of calories and nutrients can cause cardiovascular disorders, hair loss, dizziness or fatigue. Bulimics, who are very thin, also face the same health risks as anorexic people.
Psychological dangers
With anorexia and bulimia, the soul also starves. In most cases, those affected by eating disorders already have low self-esteem. Often they then develop fears and even panic attacks. Others get depressed. They are depressed, do not feel like doing anything, feel inferior and hopeless. Thoughts of suicide can even arise.
You can find more information and help here:
- You can get anonymous help under the "number against Kummer": 0800-1110333. The advisors there can also tell you about offers of help in the area.
- http://www.bzga-essstoerungen.de
- https://www.anad.de
